History and Criticism of Art and Visual Culture Major
Major Requirements
History and Criticism of Art and Visual Culture majors must take ten courses, including a thesis. These courses must include:
Studio Art
Complete one course designated with the (AVC: Studio) attribute.
Students should take this course before their senior year. This course must be taken at Bates.
Methods
Complete the following course:
- AVC 374 Methods in the Study of Art and Visual Culture
Students should take this course before their senior year. The course is currently only offered during fall semesters.
Additional Courses
Complete seven additional courses on the history and criticism of art and visual culture, including:
- At least one course on premodern art and visual culture designated with the (AVC: Premodern) attribute.
- At least one course focusing on art and visual culture outside the canon of Western European and American art and visual culture designated with the (AVC: Non-Western Canon) attribute.
- At least one course focused on the study of issues of power and privilege in art and visual culture designated with the (AVC: Power and Privilege) attribute.
- At least one additional 300-level course designated with the (AVC: History and Criticism) attribute, excluding AVC 360, AVC 361, and AVC 374.
Students may apply to count one or two courses in another department or program that considers relevant material in visual culture or is profoundly related to their area of specialization. First-Year Seminars taught by departmental faculty may also be counted toward the major.
Senior Thesis: History and Criticism
Complete at least one course from the following:
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
The department advises history and criticism majors who wish to study off-campus to do so for only one semester. With permission of the advisor, up to two courses taken off campus may be applied toward fulfilling the 7 open History & Criticism course requirement. Studio courses must be taken at Bates.
Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail grading may be elected for courses applied toward the major except for AVC 360, 361, 374, 457, and 458, and studio courses.
Declaration Restrictions
Students who have declared the History and Criticism of Art and Visual Culture major may not declare the following:
- History and Criticism of Art and Visual Culture minor
Other Considerations
Some designated Short Term courses may be counted toward the major with the permission of the department. Adequate distribution is determined in conjunction with the student’s departmental advisor, who must approve the student’s course of study.
Current history and criticism majors (classes of ‘27-’29) may complete the major by following either these catalog policies or those outlined in the ‘25-’26 catalog. Students who wish to change to this system should consult their advisor.